Motria Iwan has raised over $10,000 toward diabetes research, and is now using the skills she gained in her program at Camosun to take the initiative to the next level.
At 14, Iwan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a life-threatening illness that prevents the body from producing insulin, the hormone responsible for converting blood sugar into energy. Iwan says the problem of managing the illness was exacerbated by difficulty fitting in during high school.
“Probably one of the best ways to describe it is being given the keys to a helicopter without the instructions,” she says. “It needs constant management. It was difficult because not only was I a new student, but I had this condition which made me different as well… There was a point where I had been bullied for my condition, to the point where I was in tears, so it was not only just controlling the condition but trying to make friends and running into people like that at the same time.”
After high school, Iwan started volunteering at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as a graphic designer while she was starting Camosun’s Interactive Media Developer Technologist program. JDRF recently requested that Iwan be involved in a diabetes awareness campaign that sees local organizations lighting their buildings in blue on November 14, for World Diabetes Day, and, next year, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary since the discovery of insulin.
Iwan organized to have the Royal BC Museum, the fountains at the Parliament Buildings, and Victoria City Hall lit up blue. However, she also decided that she could do more than simply light up a few buildings, and she launched a $10,000 crowdfunding campaign for JDRF to fund research initiatives throughout Canada. The initiative soon exceeded its goal—as of early December, it was at $10,600.
“I’m really thrilled to share that in three weeks we hit that goal, so it’s been really exciting and positive,” says Iwan, who finished her program at Camosun last month, after she spoke with Nexus for this story. “The ultimate goal is that money is going to go towards making a difference and finding a cure for diabetes [through stem cell therapy], and improving the lives of diabetics today.”
Iwan says that one of the reasons she wanted to give back to the diabetes community is to help other people with the condition lead fuller lives with less loneliness and isolation.
“Another goal I had was to help people who have type 1 diabetes feel that inclusiveness, that [they’re] not the only person who has this condition,” she says. “Like, here is this person who is openly talking about their experience, and maybe somebody would see that and be inspired by it, or feel a sense of community, and so I’m quite happy with how this has gone so far.”
Iwan says that her time at Camosun has benefitted the project, and overall it’s been a really positive, supportive experience.
“I felt that my experience at Camosun did help with my success in the fundraiser for a variety of reasons, both in graphic design but also from a user-experience perspective,” she says. “I feel Camosun helped me feel comfortable with reaching out into the community; it’s always been nothing but teachers and peers being understanding, and people at this point have been nothing but supportive at Camosun.”
Although Iwan used to try to hide her condition from others for fear of being judged, she came to the realization that having diabetes doesn’t need to be a badge of shame that impedes her life.
“I really don’t think it’s anything to be embarrassed about, because I do see all of the incredible things that people with type 1 diabetes have achieved,” she says. “Just because somebody is living with a chronic condition like this doesn’t completely inhibit them from something they want to do.”